Changing from NTL to BT in an apartment block

Tiktokofoz · 20-01-2005, 13:37

Hello. I'm new here and would value some advice. My issue is similar to confused_j below. I live in a "new" apartment block (1997) and we have always had an NTL phone line. I used to have NTL cable TV but changed to a Sky dish last year.

I've been in touch with BT who tell me that any existing sockets and wiring I have will not be used as they are NTL property and I'll have to have new ones installed. I have a blank white plate in the living room and bedroom from which a wire has been run to a phone socket screwed on another wall of my choice. There is no socket on the plate itself - you need to unscrew the plate to connect the wire. The Sky digibox is connected to the dish via this plate in the living room as that connects with the communal rise cabling on the landing. The wire used is the same one that connected the NTL cable box originally.

Does anyone happen to know if I will have to have a whole load of new plates and sockets, or might it just be a case of using existing wires and sockets in the flat which will all be connected to the communal rise through the plates?

orangebird · 20-01-2005, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiktokofoz

Hello. I'm new here and would value some advice. My issue is similar to confused_j below. I live in a "new" apartment block (1997) and we have always had an NTL phone line. I used to have NTL cable TV but changed to a Sky dish last year.

I've been in touch with BT who tell me that any existing sockets and wiring I have will not be used as they are NTL property and I'll have to have new ones installed. I have a blank white plate in the living room and bedroom from which a wire has been run to a phone socket screwed on another wall of my choice. There is no socket on the plate itself - you need to unscrew the plate to connect the wire. The Sky digibox is connected to the dish via this plate in the living room as that connects with the communal rise cabling on the landing. The wire used is the same one that connected the NTL cable box originally.

Does anyone happen to know if I will have to have a whole load of new plates and sockets, or might it just be a case of using existing wires and sockets in the flat which will all be connected to the communal rise through the plates?

how did you get sky without getting a phone line?

Neil · 20-01-2005, 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by orangebird

how did you get sky without getting a phone line?

Oh no...here we go again....

ian@huth · 20-01-2005, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by orangebird

how did you get sky without getting a phone line?

Probably managed it because he has a phone line.

Quote:

and we have always had an NTL phone line

orangebird · 20-01-2005, 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianathuth

Probably managed it because he has a phone line.

I thought it had to be a bt line...

Neil · 20-01-2005, 15:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by orangebird

I thought it had to be a bt line...

How many times have we had the conversation about ntl forcing an ntl phone line on you with their DTV, & Sky only (partly) insisting that you have a phone line!?

Tiktokofoz · 20-01-2005, 15:25

Erm... I have a phone line. It's NTL cable. That has nothing to do with the Sky Digital except that you need a live phone point for the interactive services. The point I was making is that my Sky dish is connected to the digibox through the plate in the wall which connects to the riser unit on the landing, as do the phone sockets seemingly.

**Chris** · 20-01-2005, 15:30

My understanding is that BT cannot interfere with the NTL master socket in your flat. This socket is the property of NTL and it is illegal to do anything to it. BT will have to install a new BT master socket in the flat, if there is not one installed already. However, depending on how your extension sockets have been connected to the NTL master, it may be possible to wire them up to the new BT socket instead, so you will not necessarily have to have a load of new extension sockets around the flat.

I have no idea how BT will run their cable from the street to your flat. Presumably they will be able to get access to the dry riser, but I would have thought some arrangement will have to be made with the management company that runs the building if this is the case.

BT has an obligation to put a line in to your flat if you ask them, and if it is practical, but do bear in mind that if they have to start running cables from the street to your flat, they can and will charge you for the installation. You have to ask if it really is worth your while to change...

zovat · 20-01-2005, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by orangebird

I thought it had to be a bt line...

I can catagorically confirm that an NTL line is acceptable for a Sky Contract (I have NTL Phone/BB and Sky TV).

(just to stop any arguments

)

**Chris** · 20-01-2005, 15:31

to Cable Forum by the way!

orangebird · 20-01-2005, 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris T

My understanding is that BT cannot interfere with the NTL master socket in your flat. This socket is the property of NTL and it is illegal to do anything to it. BT will have to install a new BT master socket in the flat, if there is not one installed already. However, depending on how your extension sockets have been connected to the NTL master, it may be possible to wire them up to the new BT socket instead, so you will not necessarily have to have a load of new extension sockets around the flat.

I have no idea how BT will run their cable from the street to your flat. Presumably they will be able to get access to the dry riser, but I would have thought some arrangement will have to be made with the management company that runs the building if this is the case.

BT has an obligation to put a line in to your flat if you ask them, and if it is practical, but do bear in mind that if they have to start running cables from the street to your flat, they can and will charge you for the installation. You have to ask if it really is worth your while to change...

You are correct - master sockets are property of the installing company and not allowed to be tampered with or connected to by anyone else.

scrotnig · 20-01-2005, 16:46

The facts:

Sky will often try to suggest that you need a BT phone line but if you ask them outright they will admit that ANY landline will do, including BT ones that are CPS'd to third party resellers.

To have a free Sky digibox you need to have A LANDLINE TELEPHONE LINE, but it doesn't matter who supplies it.
____________

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

How many times have we had the conversation about ntl forcing an ntl phone line on you with their DTV, & Sky only (partly) insisting that you have a phone line!?

Sky 100% insist you have a phone to get a free digibox. They don't insist on a particular supplier, however, they are well known for suggesting to people that it won't work with ntl or Telewest lines when it will.

ian@huth · 20-01-2005, 17:00

Never been asked who supplied my phone service for any Sky install I have had and that's been a few around the country with BT, NTL and Telewest phone lines. They are more bothered about getting your custom than who supplies the phone.

Neil · 20-01-2005, 17:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark B

Sky 100% insist you have a phone to get a free digibox. They don't insist on a particular supplier, however, they are well known for suggesting to people that it won't work with ntl or Telewest lines when it will.

Really!?

Well I never knew that.....

scrotnig · 20-01-2005, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Really!?

Well I never knew that.....

Don;t thank me, that's what I'm here for!
____________

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianathuth

Never been asked who supplied my phone service for any Sky install I have had and that's been a few around the country with BT, NTL and Telewest phone lines. They are more bothered about getting your custom than who supplies the phone.

Some individuals do do this, I know from my old job within ntl.

I do know it's not their official policy though.